New generation of speed cameras sees the number of fines reach the highest
level since the Coalition came into power

The number of speeding fines issued to motorists by the courts has risen to its highest level for four years amid the rollout of a new generation of digital speed cameras.

More than 115,000 motorists in England and Wales were issued with fines of at least £100 by magistrates last year - the highest level since the Coalition came into power in 2010, according to figures from the Ministry of Justice.

In Essex, the number of speeding fines issued by the courts rose by 44 per cent last year, while in Avon and Somerset the number increased by 34 per cent. In six other police areas, the number of speeding fines handed out by magistrates rose by around a quarter.

Motoring organisations said the rises were being fuelled by sophisticated digital speed cameras, which unlike ageing film versions can take pictures around the clock. The new cameras are being phased in across the country and have the advantage that they never run out of film and can take pictures indefinitely.

However, the Association of British Drivers said there was little evidence that speed cameras actually reduced road accidents and suggested that speeding tickets were now simply being used as a “cash cow”.

According to the MoJ figures, the number of speeding fines in England and Wales issued by magistrates initially fell from 114,279 in 2010 to 110,191 the following year. Since then, however, the number has gradually risen and in 2013, 115,549 offenders were fined for speeding by magistrates.

In some areas, the recent increase has been even more stark. In Essex, the number of speeding fines handed out by the courts rose by 44 per cent in 2013 to 3,091, while in Avon and Somerset the number rose by 34 per cent to 3,925.

Other areas which saw the number of fines rise by more than 20 per cent in 2013 included Hampshire, Lancashire, Gwent and Staffordshire.

Over the past four years, a total of 452,540 speeding fines have been issued by magistrates, netting the Treasury more than £45million worth of fines.

Motorists receive a summons if they refuse to pay their fines or if their level of speeding is deemed to be excessive.

The figures do not include drivers who choose to pay a fine, choose take a driver awareness course instead or pay a fixed penalty notice.

It means the total number of people being caught by speed cameras is likely to be significantly higher.

Separate figures obtained by Brake, the road safety charity, have already suggested a significant increase in the number of fixed penalty notices being issued for speeding.

Roger Lawson, a spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, said: “It is in the Government’s interests to encourage the issuing of fines, they are effectively a cash cow.

“There are far too many fines issued. Although there are some cases where there is excessive speed, the whole thing has turned into an industry and become totally pointless – there is no good evidence that speed cameras actually reduce injuries.”

Edmund King, the President of the AA, added: “It [the rise in speeding fines] is a reflection that cameras are more efficient than ever.

“In the past, cameras in London they would only take valid pictures for a quarter of day and it was pot luck whether you are fined. The cameras are now working 24 hours a day.”

The impact of the new digital cameras is likely to be significant.

More than half of forces in England and Wales have replaced ageing film versions with new digital models.

While they cost up to £10,000 install but their running costs are significantly lower, as police officers are not needed to collect and develop the film.

Instead the information from the camera is sent automatically to a control centre which, once the car has been identified from its number plate, can send out a notice of intended prosecution – the first stage towards fining motorists and putting points on their licence.

When the Coalition came into power Philip Hammond, the then transport secretary, pledged to end the “war on the motorist” and ruled out funding additional speed cameras.

However, advances in technology have seen Britain’s speed cameras become more efficient and better at catching motorists who exceed speed limits.

As well as the new generation of digital speed cameras, average speed cameras which monitor drivers across long stretches of road rather than just at fixed points have become increasingly commonplace on motorways and A-roads.

In Cardiff, one speed camera located onto the road into the Welsh capital has caught 13,624 drivers this year – equivalent to 71 motorists a day.

When the figures about the camera emerged earlier this year Tim Shallcross, from the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: “The whole purpose of speed cameras is to slow people down, because it's felt that excessive speed in that area causes casualties.

“If a camera is issuing a small number of fines, or none at all, it's doing its job. If it's ticketing that many people, it's not having that effect.

“The local authority, which is responsible for road safety, should be looking at those figures and saying ‘we seem to have an issue here - the camera is catching a lot of people’.

“Let's make sure that it looks like a 30mph highway, and that the cameras are clearly visible and the signs aren't obscured by vegetation.”

A Government spokesman said: “Speeding can have devastating consequences and it’s right that drivers should abide by the speed limit. These fines were issued at the discretion of the magistrates and show the number of fines issued is in decline across many police force areas.”

Ministers have also announced plans which could see speeding fines issued by judges quadruple.

A motorist caught by a speed camera or traffic officer would normally receive a fixed-penalty notice of £100, plus three points on their licence.

But if they choose to fight the decision the case can end up in magistrates' court.

Currently, the maximum fines are £1,000 for speeding on a dual carriageway or using a mobile phone at the wheel and £2,500 for exceeding the 70mph limit on a motorway.

But, in a blitz by the Ministry of Justice, the upper limits are to be quadrupled - potentially scaring many drivers into rolling over.